Skip Greenlaw, chairman of the Maine Coalition to Save Schools, is reporting that his group has 50,771 signatures on a petition to overturn the state’s school district consolidation law.

The group needs 55,087 to make it on the ballot. Greenlaw said in a statement that he hopes to have what he needs by August.

If all goes as planned, it will be on the November 2009 ballot.

Those of us in the news business were shocked Friday to learn of the death of NBC News Washington Bureau Chief Tim Russert.

Russert, 58, collapsed at work on Friday and died.

From “Meet the Press” to analysis offered on the evening news, Russert kept many a politician on his or her toes. His aggressive questioning during one of the Democratic debates sticks out in my mind in particular.

Sen. John McCain, presumptive Republican nominee, released this statement on Friday.

"I am very saddened by Tim Russert's sudden death. Cindy and I extend our thoughts and prayers to the Russert family as they cope with this shocking loss and remember the life and legacy of a loving father, husband and the preeminent political journalist of his generation. He was truly a great American who loved his family, his friends, his Buffalo Bills, and everything about politics and America. He was just a terrific guy. I was proud to call him a friend, and in the coming days, we will pay tribute to a life whose contributions to us all will long endure."

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued this statement

"Today we lost one of the true giants of American journalism and a tremendous public servant. Tim Russert will be remembered for many things. A committed family man, devout Catholic, devout sports fan, author, mentor. A tough interviewer, Tim delivered the news with authority, in a plainspoken way that made the great issues of our day accessible to everyone. His love of politics and our country came through in his relentless pursuit of the truth and in the quality of his work as a journalist. On this sad day, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones."

The Colby College Republicans are hosting conservative author Gregg Jackson for a lecture tonight called “Can America Survive: How the Left’s Assault on Traditional Values is Destroying America.”

The lecture, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 7 p.m. in room 14 of Miller Library.

Jackson, a 1991 graduate of Colby, is the author of the 2006 book “Conservative Comebacks to Liberal Lies.”

With several GOP presidential hopefuls trying to compare themselves to Ronald Reagan, he’s been back in the news lately.

Maine Republicans will honor him in a public way on Feb. 6.

Mary Adams, who has led a couple of tax revolts in Maine, is organizing Ronald Reagan Day on the anniversary of his birthday.

She’s promising to organize “an uplifting and enjoyable press conference” to honor the nation’s 40th president with sentiments, memories, quotes and jelly beans.

Gov. John Baldacci signed a proclamation earlier this month to officially make Feb. 6 Ronald Reagan Day.

Welcome to a new blog that will explore Maine politics, and possibly touch on national politics from time to time as well.
It’s an interesting time in Maine. Even though we are technically approaching an off year election, there are five open Maine House of Representatives seats, and we’ll all be asked to weigh in on five ballot questions in November.